OBJECTIVE: Create a setting (arrangement) of a folk song for some instrument (voice, flute, trumpet, saxophone, etc.) and piano. The insturment will carry the melody of the folk song, the piano will provide accompaniment. In addition to choosing a harmonization for your tune and deploying at least two accompaniment styles in the piano, most projects will also embellish the basic form of the tune with an introduction and perhaps closing material. This later element depends on the length of the tune you choose. Students who choose very short tunes should include two statements of the tune; those who pick medium to longer tunes only need state their tune once. You and your instructor will agree on an appropriate length for your folk song setting, but it must be no less than 12 measures and generally will be in the 24-32 measure range.
CHOOSE A FOLK SONG: There are a number of folk songs notated in Chapter 10 of both our text book and our workbook. You may choose any one of these folks songs, or search online for another folk song (in notation form). For an example of the kind of folk songs you can find on line, click here.
Step 1: Create a "lead sheet" for your folk song (melody + chord symbols).
Step 2: After some experimentation, improvisation, and consultation with your instructor, decide upon a primary and secondary mode of accompaniment (i.e. arpeggiation, block chords, "oom-pah," etc.). Try this with your folk song (at least a few measures) and discuss with your instructor. At this point you can be sketching on traditional manuscript, OR typeset with Noteflight.
Step 3: Rough Draft. This should include one complete statement of your tune with accompaniment. Shorter songs should give two statements of the tune (varying the accompaniment pattern for interest, of course). Discuss this with your instructor. This discussion should include ideas for minor formal embellishments such as an "intro" and/or a "coda" or "tag ending." At this point I recommend moving over to Noteflight.
Step 4: Final Draft. This MUST BE typeset with NOTEFLIGHT.
Step 5. In class performance of your folk song setting. Secure players from class or band or orchestra, etc. Rehearse them briefly. Perform - we'll record this.
Folk Song Setting
OBJECTIVE: Create a setting (arrangement) of a folk song for some instrument (voice, flute, trumpet, saxophone, etc.) and piano. The insturment will carry the melody of the folk song, the piano will provide accompaniment. In addition to choosing a harmonization for your tune and deploying at least two accompaniment styles in the piano, most projects will also embellish the basic form of the tune with an introduction and perhaps closing material. This later element depends on the length of the tune you choose. Students who choose very short tunes should include two statements of the tune; those who pick medium to longer tunes only need state their tune once. You and your instructor will agree on an appropriate length for your folk song setting, but it must be no less than 12 measures and generally will be in the 24-32 measure range.
CHOOSE A FOLK SONG: There are a number of folk songs notated in Chapter 10 of both our text book and our workbook. You may choose any one of these folks songs, or search online for another folk song (in notation form). For an example of the kind of folk songs you can find on line, click here.
Step 1: Create a "lead sheet" for your folk song (melody + chord symbols).
Step 2: After some experimentation, improvisation, and consultation with your instructor, decide upon a primary and secondary mode of accompaniment (i.e. arpeggiation, block chords, "oom-pah," etc.). Try this with your folk song (at least a few measures) and discuss with your instructor. At this point you can be sketching on traditional manuscript, OR typeset with Noteflight.
Step 3: Rough Draft. This should include one complete statement of your tune with accompaniment. Shorter songs should give two statements of the tune (varying the accompaniment pattern for interest, of course). Discuss this with your instructor. This discussion should include ideas for minor formal embellishments such as an "intro" and/or a "coda" or "tag ending." At this point I recommend moving over to Noteflight.
Step 4: Final Draft. This MUST BE typeset with NOTEFLIGHT.
Step 5. In class performance of your folk song setting. Secure players from class or band or orchestra, etc. Rehearse them briefly. Perform - we'll record this.
EXAMPLE - Check out this setting of "Turkey in the Straw" (discuss).
Folk Song Setting RUBRIC - Look over before getting too far into the project!